“Bad things don’t dig down through your life until the pit’s so deep that nothing good will ever be big enough to make you happy again.” (Emily Henry, Beach Read)

Beach Read by Emily Henry is a romance novel that offers much more than a typical summer love story. It explores grief, healing, and the struggle to rediscover joy after life leaves you feeling broken.  The characters are flawed and carry pain, yet they continue searching for meaning in their lives. This book doesn’t avoid the emotional weight of trauma, but it also reminds readers that painful moments don’t erase the beauty that still exists. The quote shown made me reflect on how we carry our past and how much strength it takes to keep choosing hope.

Summary:

This story follows two writers, January Andrews and Augustus Everett, who couldn’t be more different. January writes romantic comedies filled with happy endings, while Gus writes serious literary fiction with darker themes. After the unexpected passing of her father, January moves into his old beach house, which turns out to be right next door to Gus. Both struggling with writer’s block, they make a deal to swap genres for their next books. As they spend more time together for research and inspiration, a deeper connection begins to form. 

January is mourning not only the loss of her father, but also the version of herself who once believed in love so easily. Gus is quietly carrying pain from his past and often feels unwanted. Through their growing friendship, they begin to challenge each other’s worldviews, lean on one another, and slowly find a way forward. It’s a moving story about choosing happiness, even when it’s hard, and finding hope in unexpected places. 

Review:

Beach Read is probably my favorite book of all time. It’s not just my favorite adult romance, but also the book that has impacted me the most as a person. I’ve never read something that made me feel so understood. This story is packed with emotion and has reshaped the way I see the world. What amazes me most is that Emily Henry was able to do all of this within a romance novel. Her writing style is descriptive, and every detail feels intentional and meaningful. At the same time, there’s still so much warmth and chemistry, especially in the dialogue. The pacing is gentle, giving you the space to really sit with the characters and everything they’re going through.

The characters in this book are written so well that they feel like real people. January Andrews is such a relatable character. As a hopeless romantic, I connected deeply with how she always believed in happy endings, and how hard it was for her to hold onto that belief after experiencing loss. There’s a quote that says, “He fit so perfectly in the love story I’d imagined for myself that I mistook him for the love of my life,” and that line hit me so hard. It put into words something I’ve always struggled with: falling in love with the idea of someone and not knowing how to separate that from who they really are. Gus is just as complex. While I don’t relate to all of his trauma, the way he constantly feels unseen and unwanted really resonated with me. As a teenage girl and the youngest sibling, I know what it feels like to question your place, and this book captured that quiet ache so well. Gus is also emotionally unavailable in many ways, but the fact that he still tries to make January happy, even when he doesn’t fully know how to love, is one of the most beautiful parts of his character. Both January and Gus grow so much throughout the story, not by changing who they are, but by learning to accept the parts of themselves they were once afraid to show.

What first pulled me in was how real and honest the story is about how hard it can be to believe in happiness again. It’s not just about grief, but also about grieving the version of yourself you used to be and learning that healing doesn’t always mean going back to who you were before everything fell apart. Sometimes, healing is about becoming the best version of yourself. Beach Read shows that even when life doesn’t look the way you imagined, there’s still joy and meaning to be found. The plot of two writers swapping genres and slowly falling in love might seem predictable, but that didn’t make it any less beautiful. The structure allows the characters time to open up, and I loved how naturally their story unfolded. 

When I first read Beach Read, there were a few things I wasn’t sure about. I felt frustrated that January’s best friend, Shadi, wasn’t physically present in the story, especially while January was going through so much. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate that choice. With Gus’s aunts already playing a big role and January juggling grief, family secrets, and the house, having Shadi constantly involved might have made the story feel too crowded. The focus on just January and Gus made their relationship feel more personal and intimate. I also remember feeling a bit confused about their relationship status at times. It didn’t follow the typical romance arc I was used to, which initially left me uncertain. But looking back, I think that was intentional. Emily Henry writes relationships that are messy and real, not tied up in perfect labels. Her writing really reflects how relationships can be in real life, where emotions are complicated and timing doesn’t always line up perfectly. 

The only thing I still wish we got more of was Gus’s backstory. While January’s past felt clear and deeply explored, Gus’s trauma was more fragmented. I understand that reflects how closed off he is as a character, but part of me still wishes we had just a little more insight into his childhood. Even with that, the emotional weight of his story still hit me, even if it took time to fully sink in. That’s one of the things I love most about this book. It grows with you.

I’ve realized that when I really love a book, I don’t just try to ignore the parts I didn’t love. Instead, I try to understand them. Not every story choice is going to land perfectly on the first read, and that’s okay. But when something stays with me and makes me think more deeply about why the author made certain decisions, that’s when I know a book truly meant something to me. Beach Read is that kind of book.

What I loved most about this book is how it put my feelings into words I didn’t even know I needed. Emily Henry captured emotions I’ve always felt but never knew how to explain. This book made me feel seen in a way no other story has, and that’s what makes it so special to me. I’ve read all of Emily Henry’s adult romance books, and while each one has emotionally impacted me in its own way, Beach Read continues to be my number one favorite. I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t just emotionally moved by the characters, but also emotionally attached to them. Their story stayed with me long after I finished reading, and no matter how much I love her other books, this one still feels like home. Emily Henry has become an author I completely trust. If she publishes something new, I will read it without hesitation. Her writing continues to evolve with each book, and it has been inspiring to see her grow as a writer. I always recommend starting with Beach Read because it was her first adult romance, and the characters make appearances in later books, although each one can be read on its own.

Overall, I would recommend Beach Read by Emily Henry to anyone who wants a fun summer romance with real emotional depth. It’s perfect for the hopeless romantics, for people who have experienced heartbreak or loss, and for anyone who is healing and learning to find joy again. It’s also for the readers who sometimes feel invisible or unsure of where they fit. This book will change your perspective on life, love, and healing. It might also just become one of those stories that stay with you forever. I find myself constantly going back to reread my favorite scenes because they’re just that good. January and Gus are a couple I think about all the time. Their dynamic, growth, and chemistry are something I keep coming back to because it just feels so real. This book truly is unforgettable in the best way.

I would give this book: 📚📚📚📚📚 – my absolute favorite book ever that I’ll never stop recommending! (5/5)

Also, the song that always makes me think of January and Gus is Renegade by Big Red Machine and Taylor Swift! It captures their relationship so well and feels like it was written just for them.

Love,

Hailie

GFB Ambassador